190mm isolation manifold specs?

[BobbyT22]

Does anyone have the specs on the 190mm blue steel isolation manifold? I put together a set of double steel 45's. When the bands are snug (just snug), and crossbar adjusted so it still can rotate freely, the spacing is is 200mm CL-CL vice 190. I did this a few times, and that is the way these bands and this manifold fit together. Any closer together the crossbar binds when the bands are tightened. 200mm seems the sweet spot with these bands. My concern is that this is too far out of tolerance, but I can't find the specs to check. I searched the blue steel site, no joy. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Scared Silly]

Have you tried to assemble the cylinders sans bands? Perhaps there is a thread issue????

 

[BobbyT22]

The rotator bar will close to 190 mm no problem without the bands, but I have to back it out to 198 mm (I re-measured) when snug them up if I want the crossbar to be able to rotate freely. The bands push the cylinders apart slightly when tightened. I'm not too worried about it, but I wanted to check the specs just to be sure. The specs usually list an acceptable range for crossbar spacing, at least other manufacturers do, but I can't find them for Blue Steel. If 198 mm is too wide, outside of spec, I either have to get a wider crossbar or narrower bands, but hopefully neither.

 

[halocline]

If I understand you correctly, you're worried about the number of threads showing on the crossbar? I think there's a maximum number of threads that are supposed to be showing after you cinch up the lock nuts. On my 72s there are 4 threads showing, which I think is about the maximum. I've never had a problem, but I don't lift the set by the crossbar.

I've also found that every time I take them apart and re-assemble, they seem to fit a little differently. I guess my tanks are not 100% straight. Maybe yours aren't either. You could try switching the bands; maybe the one on the bottom pulls the tanks a tiny bit closer than the top one, which then pushes the valves apart. Just a guess.